Use of tetrazolinones for combating resistant phytopathogenic fungi on fruits

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the use of use of a tetrazolinone fungicide for combating phytopathogenic fungi on fruits, such fungi containing a G143A mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene conferring resistance to Qo inhibitors.

This application is a National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/055962, filed Mar. 14, 2017. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to European Patent Application No. 16160605.8, filed Mar. 16, 2016.

The present invention relates to the use of 1-[2-[[1-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]-3-methyl-phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (herein also referred to as compound I) for combating phytopathogenic fungi on fruits, such fungi containing a G143A mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene conferring resistance to Qo inhibitors.

Qo inhibitor fungicides, often referred to as strobilurin-type fungicides (Sauter 2007: Chapter 13.2. Strobilurins and other complex III inhibitors. In: Krämer, W.; Schirmer, U. (Ed.)—Modern Crop Protection Compounds. Volume 2. Wiley-VCH Verlag 457-495), are conventionally used to control a number of fungal pathogens in crops. Qo inhibitors typically work by inhibiting respiration by binding to a ubihydroquinone oxidation center of a cytochrome bc₁ complex (electron transport complex III) in mitochondria. Said oxidation center is located on the outer side of the inner mitochrondrial membrane. A prime example of the use of Qo inhibitors includes the use of, for example, strobilurins on wheat for the control of Septoria tritici (also known as Mycosphaerella graminicola), which is the cause of wheat leaf blotch. Unfortunately, widespread use of such Qo inhibitors has resulted in the selection of mutant pathogens which are resistant to such Qo inhibitors (Gisi et al., Pest Manag Sci 56, 833-841, (2000). Resistance to Qo inhibitors has been detected in several phytopathogenic fungi. In some pathogens, the major part of resistance to Qo inhibitors in agricultural uses has been attributed to pathogens containing a single amino acid residue substitution G143A in the cytochrome b gene for their cytochrome bc₁ complex, the target protein of Qo inhibitors (see, for example Lucas, Pestic Outlook 14(6), 268-70 (2003); and Fraaije et al., Phytopathol 95(8), 933-41 (2005), (which both are expressly incorporated by reference herein).

In fruits, the following pathogens show increasing resistance towards Qo inhibitors due to their G143A mutation:

Venturia inaequalis (scab) on apple,

Uncinula necator (powdery mildew) on grapes and

Plasmopara viticola (downy mildew) on grapes.

Thus, new methods and compositions are desirable for controlling these pathogen induced diseases in crops comprising plants subjected to pathogens that are resistant to Qo inhibitors. Furthermore, in many cases, in particular at low application rates, the fungicidal activity of the known fungicidal strobilurin analogue compounds is unsatisfactory, especially in case that a high proportion of the fungal pathogens contain a mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene conferring resistance to Qo inhibitors. Based on this, it was also an object of the present invention to provide compounds having improved activity and/or a broader activity spectrum against such resistant phytopathogenic harmful fungi on fruit plants.

“Qo inhibitor,” as used herein, includes any substance that is capable of diminishing and/or inhibiting respiration by binding to an ubihydroquinone oxidation center of a cytochrome bc₁ complex in mitochondria. The oxidation center is typically located on the outer side of the inner mitochrondrial membrane.

From WO2013/092224, the use of Qo inhibitors is known for combating phytopathogenic fungi that are resistant to Qo inhibitors is generally known. Nevertheless, there is a constant need to find further compounds with even improved action against fungi that are resistant to Qo inhibitors.

The compounds I are not explicitly disclosed in WO2013/092224 and have surprisingly high action against fungi that are resistant to Qo inhibitors on fruits such as grapes and apples.

Thus, the present invention relates to the use of 1-[2-[[1-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]-3-methyl-phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (herein also referred to as compound I) for combating phytopathogenic fungi on fruits, such fungi containing a G143A mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene conferring resistance to Qo inhibitors.

The present invention also relates to the use of a mixture comprising compound I in combination with a second compound II, wherein compound II is selected from 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol, 1-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-cyclopropyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol, difenoconazole, penconazole, tetraconazole, myclobutanil, fluxapyroxad, boscalid, fluopyram, folpet, mancozeb, metiram, dithianon, folpet, sulfur, copper, metrafenone, ametoctradin, dimethomorph, oxathiapiproline, cyazofamid, cyprodinil, pyrimethanil, iprodione, fludioxonil and fluopicolide.

The term “fruits” comprises apples or grapes.

The fungi on apples or grapes containing a G143A mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene conferring resistance to Qo inhibitors are hereinafter referred to as “resistant fungi”.

Resistant fungi on apples or grapes in the course of the use of the present invention are

Venturia inaequalis (scab) on apple,

Uncinula necator (powdery mildew) on grapes and

Plasmopara viticola (downy mildew) on grapes.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a compound I for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is apple, and the resistant fungi is Venturia inaequalis.

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a compound I for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Plasmopara viticola.

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a compound I for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Uncinula necator.

In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a compound I for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is apple, and the resistant fungi is Venturia inaequalis.

In a further more preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a compound I for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Uncinula necator.

The present invention also relates to the use of a mixture comprising compound I in combination with a second compound II, wherein compound II is selected from 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol, 1-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-cyclopropyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol, difenoconazole, penconazole, tetraconazole, myclobutanil, fluxapyroxad, boscalid, fluopyram, folpet, mancozeb, metiram, dithianon, folpet, sulfur, copper, metrafenone, ametoctradin, dimethomorph, oxathiapiproline, cyazofamid, cyprodinil, pyrimethanil, iprodione, fludioxonil and fluopicolide for combating resistant fungi on apple or grape.

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures of compound I and compound II as defined above for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is apple, and the resistant fungi is Venturia inaequalis.

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures of compound I and compound II as defined above for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein Y the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Uncinula necator.

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures of compound I and compound II as defined above for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Plasmopara viticola.

In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures of compound I and compound II as defined above for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is apple, and the resistant fungi is Venturia inaequalis.

In a further more preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures of compound I and compound II as defined above for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein Y the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Uncinula necator.

Thus, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures M-1 to M-27 as defined in Table 1 for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is apple, and the resistant fungi is Venturia inaequalis.

TABLE 1 “I” is compound I, “II” is compound II” No I II M-1 I 2-[4-(4- chlorophenoxy)- 2- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- 1-(1,2,4- triazol-1- yl)propan-2- ol M-2 I 2-[4-(4- chlorophenoxy)- 2- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- 3-methyl-1- (1,2,4- triazol-1- yl)butan-2-ol M-3 I 1-[4-(4- chlorophenoxy)- 2- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- 1- cyclopropyl- 2-(1,2,4- triazol-1- yl)ethanol M-4 I fluxapyroxad M-5 I boscalid M-6 I metiram M-7 I dithianon M-8 I metrafenone M-9 I ametoctradin M-10 I dimethomorph M-11 I pyrimethanil M-12 I difenoconazole M-13 I penconazole M-14 I tetraconazole M-15 I myclobutanil M-16 I fluopyram M-17 I folpet M-18 I mancozeb M-19 I folpet M-20 I sulfur M-21 I copper M-22 I oxathiapiproline M-23 I cyazofamid M-24 I cyprodinil M-25 I iprodione M-26 I fludioxonil M-27 I fluopicolide

Thus, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures M-1 to M-27 as defined in Table 1 for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Uncinula necator.

Thus, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures M-1 to M-27 as defined in Table 1 for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Plasmopara viticola.

In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures of compound I and compound II for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein compound II is selected from the group consisting of 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol, 1-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-cyclopropyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol, fluxapyroxad, boscalid, metiram, dithianon, metrafenone, ametoctradin, dimethomorph and pyrimethanil, wherein the fruit is apple, and the resistant fungi is Venturia inaequalis.

In a further more preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures of compound I and compound II for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein compound II is selected from the group consisting of 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol, 1-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-cyclopropyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol, fluxapyroxad, boscalid, metiram, dithianon, metrafenone, ametoctradin, dimethomorph and pyrimethanil, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Plasmopara viticola.

In a further more preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures of compound I and compound II for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein compound II is selected from the group consisting 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol, 1-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-cyclopropyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol, fluxapyroxad, boscalid, metiram, dithianon, metrafenone, ametoctradin, dimethomorph and pyrimethanil, and wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Uncinula necator.

Thus, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures MB-1 to MB-55 as defined in Table 2 for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is apple, and the resistant fungi is Venturia inaequalis.

TABLE 2 “I” is compound I, “II” is compound II No I II MB-1 1 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)- 2- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- 1-(1,2,4-triazol-1- yl)propan-2-ol MB-2 1 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)- 2- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- 3-methyl-1-(1,2,4- triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol MB-3 I 1-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)- 2- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- 1-cyclopropyl-2-(1,2,4- triazol-1-yl)ethanol MB-4 I fluxapyroxad MB-5 I boscalid MB-6 I metiram MB-7 I dithianon MB-8 I metrafenone MB-9 I ametoctradin MB-10 I dimethomorph MB-11 I pyrimethanil

Thus, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures MB-1 to MB-11 as defined in Table 2 for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Plasmopara viticola.

Thus, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures MB-1 to MB-11 as defined in Table 2 for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Uncinula necator.

In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures MB-1 to MB-55 as defined in Table 2 for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is apple, and the resistant fungi is Venturia inaequalis.

In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of any of the mixtures MB-1 to MB-11 as defined in Table 2 for combating resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fruit is grape, and the resistant fungi is Uncinula necator.

All above-referred mixtures are herein blow abbreviated as inventive mixtures.

The term “use of compound I or any of the inventive mixtures for combating resistant fungi on fruits” comprises a method for controlling resistant fungi on fruits, wherein the fungi, their habitat, breeding grounds, their locus or the plants to be protected against such fungal attack, the soil or plant propagation material (preferably seed) are treated with a pesticidally effective amount of a compound I as defined above or a mixture of compound I with one or two compounds II.

Preferably, such method for controlling resistant fungi on fruits comprises treating the resistant fungi, their habitat, breeding grounds, their locus or the plants to be protected against pest attack with a pesticidally effective amount of a compound I as defined above or a mixture of compound I with one or two compounds II.

The term “effective amount” means that compound I or the inventive mixtures are used in a quantity which allows obtaining the desired effect which is a synergistic control of resistant fungi, but which does not give rise to any phytotoxic symptom on the treated plant.

If the compound I is applied with one or two compounds II, such application can be made simultaneous that is jointly or separately, or in succession.

The ratio by weight of compound I and compound II in binary inventive mixtures is from 20000:1 to 1:20000, from 500:1 to 1:500, preferably from 100:1 to 1:100 more preferably from 50:1 to 1:50, most preferably from 20:1 to 1:20, and utmost preferably ratios from 10:1 to 1:10, which also includes ratios of 1:5 to 5:1, 1:1.

The ratio by weight of compound I, II and second compound II in each combination of two ingredients in the mixture of three ingredients is from 20000:1 to 1:20000, from 500:1 to 1:500, preferably from 100:1 to 1:100 more preferably from 50:1 to 1:50, most preferably from 20:1 to 1:20, and utmost preferably ratios from 10:1 to 1:10 including also ratios from 1:5 to 5:1, or 1:1.

Compound I or the inventive mixtures can be accompanied by further pesticides, e.g. one or more insecticides, fungicides, herbicides.

The compound I or the inventive mixtures can be converted into customary types of agrochemical compositions, e.g. solutions, emulsions, suspensions, dusts, powders, pastes, granules, pressings, capsules, dispersions, and mixtures thereof. Examples for composition types are suspensions (e.g. SC, OD, FS), emulsifiable concentrates (e.g. EC), emulsions (e.g. EW, EO, ES, ME), dispersible concentrates (DC), capsules (e.g. CS, ZC), pastes, pastilles, wettable powders or dusts (e.g. WP, SP, WS, DP, DS), pressings (e.g. BR, TB, DT), granules (e.g. WG, SG, GR, FG, GG, MG), insecticidal articles (e.g. LN), as well as gel formulations for the treatment of plant propagation materials such as seeds (e.g. GF). These and further compositions types are defined in the “Catalogue of pesticide formulation types and international coding system”, Technical Monograph No. 2, 6^(th) Ed. May 2008, CropLife International.

The compositions are prepared in a known manner, such as described by Mollet and Grubemann, Formulation technology, Wiley VCH, Weinheim, 2001; or Knowles, New developments in crop protection product formulation, Agrow Reports DS243, T&F Informa, London, 2005.

Suitable auxiliaries are solvents, liquid carriers, solid carriers or fillers, surfactants, dispersants, emulsifiers, wetters, adjuvants, solubilizers, penetration enhancers, protective colloids, adhesion agents, thickeners, humectants, repellents, attractants, feeding stimulants, compatibilizers, bactericides, anti-freezing agents, anti-foaming agents, colorants, tackifiers and binders.

Suitable solvents and liquid carriers are water and organic solvents, such as mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, e.g. kerosene, diesel oil; oils of vegetable or animal origin; aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes; alcohols, e.g. ethanol, propanol, butanol, benzylalcohol, cyclohexanol; glycols; DMSO; ketones, e.g. cyclohexanone; esters, e.g. lactates, carbonates, fatty acid esters, gamma-butyrolactone; fatty acids; phosphonates; amines; amides, e.g. N-methylpyrrolidone, fatty acid dimethylamides; and mixtures thereof.

Suitable solid carriers or fillers are mineral earths, e.g. silicates, silica gels, talc, kaolins, limestone, lime, chalk, clays, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide; polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch; fertilizers, e.g. ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas; products of vegetable origin, e.g. cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal, nutshell meal, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable surfactants are surface-active compounds, such as anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants, block polymers, polyelectrolytes, and mixtures thereof. Such surfactants can be used as emulsifier, dispersant, solubilizer, wetter, penetration enhancer, protective colloid, or adjuvant. Examples of surfactants are listed in McCutcheon's, Vol. 1: Emulsifiers & Detergents, McCutcheon's Directories, Glen Rock, USA, 2008 (International Ed. or North American Ed.).

Suitable anionic surfactants are alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts of sulfonates, sulfates, phosphates, carboxylates, and mixtures thereof. Examples of sulfonates are alkylarylsulfonates, diphenylsulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, lignine sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acids and oils, sulfonates of ethoxylated alkylphenols, sulfonates of alkoxylated arylphenols, sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes, sulfonates of dodecyl- and tridecylbenzenes, sulfonates of naphthalenes and alkylnaphthalenes, sulfosuccinates or sulfosuccinamates. Examples of sulfates are sulfates of fatty acids and oils, of ethoxylated alkylphenols, of alcohols, of ethoxylated alcohols, or of fatty acid esters. Examples of phosphates are phosphate esters. Examples of carboxylates are alkyl carboxylates, and carboxylated alcohol or alkylphenol ethoxylates.

Suitable nonionic surfactants are alkoxylates, N-substituted fatty acid amides, amine oxides, esters, sugar-based surfactants, polymeric surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Examples of alkoxylates are compounds such as alcohols, alkylphenols, amines, amides, arylphenols, fatty acids or fatty acid esters which have been alkoxylated with 1 to 50 equivalents. Ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide may be employed for the alkoxylation, preferably ethylene oxide. Examples of N-substituted fatty acid amides are fatty acid glucamides or fatty acid alkanolamides. Examples of esters are fatty acid esters, glycerol esters or monoglycerides. Examples of sugar-based surfactants are sorbitans, ethoxylated sorbitans, sucrose and glucose esters or alkylpolyglucosides. Examples of polymeric surfactants are home- or copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, vinylalcohols, or vinylacetate.

Suitable cationic surfactants are quaternary surfactants, for example quaternary ammonium compounds with one or two hydrophobic groups, or salts of long-chain primary amines. Suitable amphoteric surfactants are alkylbetains and imidazolines. Suitable block polymers are block polymers of the A-B or A-B-A type comprising blocks of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, or of the A-B-C type comprising alkanol, polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide. Suitable polyelectrolytes are polyacids or polybases. Examples of polyacids are alkali salts of polyacrylic acid or polyacid comb polymers. Examples of polybases are polyvinylamines or polyethyleneamines.

Suitable adjuvants are compounds, which have a neglectable or even no pesticidal activity themselves, and which improve the biological performance of the compound I or the inventive mixtures on the target. Examples are surfactants, mineral or vegetable oils, and other auxiliaries. Further examples are listed by Knowles, Adjuvants and additives, Agrow Reports DS256, T&F Informa UK, 2006, chapter 5.

Suitable thickeners are polysaccharides (e.g. xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose), anorganic clays (organically modified or unmodified), polycarboxylates, and silicates.

Suitable bactericides are bronopol and isothiazolinone derivatives such as alkyliso-thiazolinones and benzisothiazolinones.

Suitable anti-freezing agents are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, urea and glycerin.

Suitable anti-foaming agents are silicones, long chain alcohols, and salts of fatty acids.

Suitable colorants (e.g. in red, blue, or green) are pigments of low water solubility and water-soluble dyes. Examples are inorganic colorants (e.g. iron oxide, titan oxide, iron hexacyanoferrate) and organic colorants (e.g. alizarin-, azo- and phthalocyanine colorants).

Suitable tackifiers or binders are polyvinylpyrrolidons, polyvinylacetates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylates, biological or synthetic waxes, and cellulose ethers.

Examples for composition types and their preparation are:

i) Water-Soluble Concentrates (SL, LS)

10-60 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture and 5-15 wt % wetting agent (e.g. alcohol alkoxylates) are dissolved in water and/or in a water-soluble solvent (e.g. alcohols) ad 100 wt %. The active substance dissolves upon dilution with water.

ii) Dispersible Concentrates (DC)

5-25 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture and 1-10 wt % dispersant (e.g. polyvinylpyrrolidone) are dissolved in organic solvent (e.g. cyclohexanone) ad 100 wt %. Dilution with water gives a dispersion.

iii) Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC)

15-70 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture and 5-10 wt % emulsifiers (e.g. calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil ethoxylate) are dissolved in water-insoluble organic solvent (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbon) ad 100 wt %. Dilution with water gives an emulsion.

iv) Emulsions (EW, EO, ES)

5-52 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture and 1-10 wt % emulsifiers (e.g. calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil ethoxylate) are dissolved in 20-52 wt % water-insoluble organic solvent (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbon). This mixture is introduced into water ad 100 wt % by means of an emulsifying machine and made into a homogeneous emulsion. Dilution with water gives an emulsion.

v) Suspensions (SC, OD, FS)

In an agitated ball mill, 20-60 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture are comminuted with addition of 2-10 wt % dispersants and wetting agents (e.g. sodium lignosulfonate and alcohol ethoxylate), 0.1-2 wt % thickener (e.g. xanthan gum) and water ad 100 wt % to give a fine active substance suspension. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension of the active substance. For FS type composition up to 40 wt % binder (e.g. polyvinylalcohol) is added.

vi) Water-Dispersible Granules and Water-Soluble Granules (WG, SG)

50-80 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture are ground finely with addition of dispersants and wetting agents (e.g. sodium lignosulfonate and alcohol ethoxylate) ad 100 wt % and prepared as water-dispersible or water-soluble granules by means of technical appliances (e.g. extrusion, spray tower, fluidized bed). Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the active substance.

vii) Water-Dispersible Powders and Water-Soluble Powders (WP, SP, WS)

50-80 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture are ground in a rotor-stator mill with addition of 1-5 wt % dispersants (e.g. sodium lignosulfonate), 1-3 wt % wetting agents (e.g. alcohol ethoxylate) and solid carrier (e.g. silica gel) ad 100 wt %. Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the active substance.

viii) Gel (GW, GF)

In an agitated ball mill, 5-25 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture are comminuted with addition of 3-10 wt % dispersants (e.g. sodium lignosulfonate), 1-5 wt % thickener (e.g. carboxymethylcellulose) and water ad 100 wt % to give a fine suspension of the active substance. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension of the active substance.

ix) Microemulsion (ME)

5-20 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture are added to 5-30 wt % organic solvent blend (e.g. fatty acid dimethylamide and cyclohexanone), 10-25 wt % surfactant blend (e.g. alcohol ethoxylate and arylphenol ethoxylate), and water ad 100%. This mixture is stirred for 1 h to produce spontaneously a thermodynamically stable microemulsion.

x) Microcapsules (CS)

An oil phase comprising 5-50 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture, 0-52 wt % water insoluble organic solvent (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbon), 2-15 wt % acrylic monomers (e.g. methylmethacrylate, methacrylic acid and a di- or triacrylate) are dispersed into an aqueous solution of a protective colloid (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol). Radical polymerization initiated by a radical initiator results in the formation of poly(meth)acrylate microcapsules. Alternatively, an oil phase comprising 5-50 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture according to the invention, 0-52 wt % water insoluble organic solvent (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbon), and an isocyanate monomer (e.g. diphenylmethene-4,4′-diisocyanatae) are dispersed into an aqueous solution of a protective colloid (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol). The addition of a polyamine (e.g. hexamethylenediamine) results in the formation of polyurea microcapsules. The monomers amount to 1-10 wt %. The wt % relate to the total CS composition.

xi) Dustable Powders (DP, DS)

1-10 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture are ground finely and mixed intimately with solid carrier (e.g. finely divided kaolin) ad 100 wt %.

xii) Granules (GR, FG)

0.5-30 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture is ground finely and associated with solid carrier (e.g. silicate) ad 100 wt %. Granulation is achieved by extrusion, spray-drying or fluidized bed.

xiii) Ultra-Low Volume Liquids (UL)

1-50 wt % of a compound I or the inventive mixture are dissolved in organic solvent (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbon) ad 100 wt %.

The compositions types i) to xiii) may optionally comprise further auxiliaries, such as 0.1-1 wt % bactericides, 5-15 wt % anti-freezing agents, 0.1-1 wt % anti-foaming agents, and 0.1-1 wt % colorants.

The resulting agrochemical compositions generally comprise between 0.01 and 95%, preferably between 0.1 and 90%, and in particular between 0.5 and 75%, by weight of active substance. The active substances are employed in a purity of from 90% to 100%, preferably from 95% to 100% (according to NMR spectrum).

Solutions for seed treatment (LS), Suspoemulsions (SE), flowable concentrates (FS), powders for dry treatment (DS), water-dispersible powders for slurry treatment (WS), water-soluble powders (SS), emulsions (ES), emulsifiable concentrates (EC) and gels (GF) are usually employed for the purposes of treatment of plant propagation materials, particularly seeds. The compositions in question give, after two-to-tenfold dilution, active substance concentrations of from 0.01 to 60% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 40%, in the ready-to-use preparations. Application can be carried out before or during sowing. Methods for applying the compound I or the inventive mixtures and compositions thereof, respectively, on to plant propagation material, especially seeds include dressing, coating, pelleting, dusting, soaking and in-furrow application methods of the propagation material. Preferably, the compound I or the inventive mixtures or the compositions thereof, respectively, are applied on to the plant propagation material by a method such that germination is not induced, e.g. by seed dressing, pelleting, coating and dusting.

When employed in plant protection, the amounts of active substances applied are, depending on the kind of effect desired, from 0.001 to 2 kg per ha, preferably from 0.005 to 2 kg per ha, more preferably from 0.01 to 1.0 kg per ha, and in particular from 0.05 to 0.75 kg per ha.

In treatment of plant propagation materials such as seeds, e.g. by dusting, coating or drenching seed, amounts of active substance of from 0.01-10 kg, preferably from 0.1-1000 g, more preferably from 1-100 g per 100 kilogram of plant propagation material (preferably seeds) are generally required.

Various types of oils, wetters, adjuvants, fertilizer, or micronutrients, and further pesticides (e.g. herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, growth regulators, safeners) may be added to the active substances or the compositions comprising them as premix or, if appropriate not until immediately prior to use (tank mix). These agents can be admixed with the compositions according to the invention in a weight ratio of 1:100 to 100:1, preferably 1:10 to 10:1.

The user applies the composition according to the invention usually from a predosage device, a knapsack sprayer, a spray tank, a spray plane, or an irrigation system. Usually, the agrochemical composition is made up with water, buffer, and/or further auxiliaries to the desired application concentration and the ready-to-use spray liquor or the agrochemical composition according to the invention is thus obtained. Usually, 20 to 2000 liters, preferably 50 to 400 liters, of the ready-to-use spray liquor are applied per hectare of agricultural useful area.

According to one embodiment, individual components of the composition according to the invention such as parts of a kit or parts of a binary or ternary mixture may be mixed by the user himself in a spray tank or any other kind of vessel used for applications (e.g. seed treater drums, seed pelleting machinery, knapsack sprayer) and further auxiliaries may be added, if appropriate.

Consequently, one embodiment of the invention is a kit for preparing a usable pesticidal composition, the kit comprising a) a composition comprising component 1) as defined herein and at least one auxiliary; and b) a composition comprising component 2) as defined herein and at least one auxiliary; and optionally c) a composition comprising at least one auxiliary and optionally one or two further active components II as defined herein above.

The invention is further illustrated, but not limited by the examples listed below:

EXAMPLES

Activity against grape powdery mildew caused by Uncinula necator (UNCINE)

The active compounds were formulated separately. Both compounds were applied on plants at the same concentrations of 100, 25 and 5 ppm. The spray broths were prepared as aqueous solutions based on a 6% EC of compound I according to the present invention and a 5% Aceton/water solution of compound I-213 from prior art (WO2013/092224).

The spray solutions were applied until runoff using an experimental glasshouse spray machine at a water volume equivalent to 1.000 L/ha. Treated plants were placed (together with untreated plants as a reference for infection success) in a glasshouse chamber at approx. 18° C. and 50% rH for two days. Two days after treatment, the plants were split into two groups. They were artificially inoculated using an aqueous conidia suspension of 0.1 to 0.5 E05 conidia/ml. One part was inoculated using a Qol-sensitive isolate, the other part using a Qol-resistant isolate carrying the target mutation G143A. After the artificial inoculation, the plants were placed in a glasshouse chamber at 21° C. and 55% rH for 19 days. The assessment of the infection was done 19 days after the inoculation and reported as % infected leaf area on two leaves which were fully covered by the spray application.

Conc. Infection (%) Sens. Infection (%) Res. Compound (ppm) Uncinula necator Uncinula necator compound I-213 100 21.3 55.0 (WO13/092224) 25 21.7 66.7 5 40.5 68.0 compound I of the 100 0.0 0.1 present invention 25 0.4 1.2 5 0.3 5.6

The comparison of compound I according to the present invention with compound I-213 from prior art (WO2013/092224) show the unexpected superior activity of compound I (1-[2-[[1-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]-3-methyl-phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one) for resistant phytopathogenic Uncinula necator. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for combating phytopathogenic fungi on fruits, wherein the fungi, their habitat, breeding grounds, their locus or the plants to be protected against fungal attack, the soil or plant propagation material are treated with an effective amount of a compound of 1-[2-[[1-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]-3-methyl-phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (compound I), such fungi containing a G143A mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene conferring resistance to Qo inhibitors.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fruit plant is apple.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the phytopathogenic fungi is Venturia inaequalis.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fruit plant is grape.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the phytopathogenic fungi is Uncinula necator.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the phytopathogenic fungi is Plasmopara viticola.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein compound I as defined in claim 1 is applied in form of a mixture with second compound II, which is selected from the group consisting of 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol, 1[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-cyclopropyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol, difenoconazole, penconazole, tetraconazole, myclobutanil, fluxapyroxad, boscalid, fluopyram, folpet, mancozeb, metiram, dithianon, folpet, sulfur, copper, metrafenone, ametoctradin, dimethomorph, oxathiapiproline, cyazofamid, cyprodinil, pyrimethanil, iprodione, fludioxonil and fluopicolide.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the ratio by weight of compound I and second compound II is 500:1 to 1:500.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the fruit plant is apple.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the fruit plant is grape.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the phytopathogenic fungi is Uncinula necator.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the phytopathogenic fungi is Plasmopara viticola.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the phytopathogenic fungi is Venturia inaequalis.
 14. The method of claim 7, wherein compound II is selected from the group consisting of 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol, 1-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-cyclopropyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanol, fluxapyroxad, boscalid, metiram, dithianon, metrafenone, ametoctradin, dimethomorph and pyrimethanil. 